Stephen Kingsley’s sensational strike to secure the points for Hearts at Falkirk was warmly greeted by the travelling fans in the crowd of 7,538, but his dad, a regular at The Falkirk Stadium, may have had mixed feelings.
The Scotland international came on as a second-half substitute on a difficult night in a game played in driving rain and a strong wind and Kingsley admitted conditions made it hard for both teams.
Claudio Braga’s goal after 67 seconds, he argued, was massive for the Men in Maroon and he added: “It settled us down and gave us something to work on.”
Kingsley (pictured in training by Nigel Duncan) then felt that Hearts “could have been better” with a couple of other chances during the first session, but the Stirling-born player said: “We stuck in there and held it together and I felt that second-half we had a lot more control.
“Getting that second goal, I was obviously buzzing for myself, and it was then all about seeing out the game.”
On his strike, which came after 77 minutes, Kingsley said his first touch made it possible and it sat up nicely. It enticed him to “have a crack” from around 25 yards and the 31-year-old told Hearts TV: “You put your laces through it and you never know what is going to happen.”
The Sky Sports cameras captured the moment for national television and, looking back, Kingsley said: “This was a massive game for us. Falkirk was just as important as Celtic. Teams who go and get a big win can find it difficult to back it up, and so many teams have a disappointing result after then have a good win.
“The Falkirk win was huge for us to keep the momentum going. It is always difficult to come here. A win and a clean sheet sets us up for the games coming up.”
For the record they are Rangers at Tynecastle on Sunday (12.30) and then Hearts cross the city to Easter Road for the Edinburgh Derby against Hibs on Saturday, December 27 (12.30).
